‘They will have too much’: Ashley Cole sends warning ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal clash

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Ashley Cole has warned that Liverpool will have ‘too much’ for Arsenal in their League Cup semi-final clash on Thursday night, as he told Sky Sports Football (12/01/22 at 10:30 pm).

Even though the finalists have already been decided, with Chelsea heading to Wembley after knocking out Tottenham, the other two semi-finalists are yet to meet in the first leg.

COVID issues played a part in that, but Liverpool and Arsenal are now finally set to lock horns at Anfield in a few hours time.

It’s going to be interesting to see what type of teams they can play, as Liverpool will certainly be without their Africa Cup of Nations stars Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Naby Keita.

Thomas Partey is also on duty for the Gunners, as well as Mohamed Elneny, which makes Mikel Arteta’s midfield even weaker.

Nonetheless, former Chelsea left-back Cole is backing Liverpool to do the business, as he shared his thoughts on the game.

“I think Liverpool will have a little bit too much for Arsenal,” said Cole. “I know you are going to be missing Mane and Salah.

“But I just think they will have too much. I think it will be a great game. A fascinating game.

“Arsenal have been, under Arteta, where he has been under criticism a lot. The form has been up and down. They have some amazing performances, Manchester City was one of them. But they didn’t get anything from it.

“They then go to Nottingham Forest and underperform. This will be a great opportunity for them to get into the final. Stake a claim where they feel they should be. But you are playing against a very, very good Liverpool team.”

This is perhaps a more important game for Arsenal after they were knocked out of the FA Cup over the weekend.

It was a pretty abject display from the north London club and a sign that the club’s backup players simply aren’t good enough.

But this will be another chance for them to showcase their worth against a team that will be without one of the world’s best players.

Either way, the tide of this game could depend on who is or isn’t available regarding COVID, which would be a shame because both teams are already weaker.